IDF distances itself from controversial reservist honored as Independence Day torchlighter

The IDF distances itself from controversial reservist Avraham Zarbiv, who has called to “flatten” Gaza and was selected as one of the honorary torchlighters at the state’s annual Independence Day ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on April 21.

Zarbiv, a rabbi and state rabbinical judge known for celebrating demolitions that his IDF reserve bulldozing unit carried out in Gaza, was chosen by Transportation Minister Miri Regev, the ceremony’s longtime planner. Zarbiv is also a vocal proponent of building Israeli settlements in Gaza.

“Rabbi Zarbiv was not selected in coordination with the IDF. He is not an IDF representative at the torch-lighting ceremony,” said IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin in response to a question at a press conference last night.

Defrin noted that the torch representing the IDF at the ceremony will be lit by Col. “Mem” — identified only by his first initial in Hebrew — the head of the Israeli Air Force’s Iran department, and Maj. Nurit Rokah, who was wounded while defending the army’s Urim base during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led onslaught, and was injured a second time during fighting in Gaza.

“Under the leadership of the head of the Personnel Directorate, IDF representatives to light a torch were selected through an orderly process. They are the IDF’s representatives,” he said.